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How Long Should The Lakers Wait To Trade Gasol?

December 22 2012 at 3:41pm CDT By Chuck Myron

Pau Gasol is probably the biggest name on the trade market right now, and I tipped off this year's Hoops Rumors Trade Candidate series today by sizing up the prospects of a Gasol swap earlier today. With Steve Nash a game-time decision for tonight's Lakers-Warriors game, we'll soon see how L.A. plays with Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Nash and Gasol all in the lineup for the first time under coach Mike D'Antoni's watch. Gasol has proven an awkward fit in D'Antoni's offense, but no one makes that system sing like Nash, who's known for his ability to make the players around him look better. When Nash was thinking of signing with the Lakers this summer, he told them he wanted to play with Gasol, so it seems that the point guard is confident he can make the pairing work.

Much was expected of the Lakers this year, but even after winning three straight, they're 12-14 and mired in 11th place in the Western Conference. With the red-hot Clippers in command of the Pacific Division, the Lakers could face an uphill battle for a high playoff seed. If Gasol continues to sputter in the team's offense after Nash returns, and the Lakers don't show signs of becoming the title contender everyone thought they'd be, how long can they wait to trade the 32-year-old Spanish big man? Let us know what you think.